Ever heard of the Big Brain Club? I hadn’t either. This club helps kids to realize that being smart really is cool. Kids pretend to be dumb so that they can fit in with their peers and most never get to live up to their full potential, and thats sad.

I found this club while trying to find something to add to my daughters daily homework schedule. She zips through her homework in 5 minutes most days, and the recommend homework time for kids her age is at least 15 – 20 minutes. Running her through flash cards everyday was getting boring, and I wanted to change it up.

The http://www.bigbrainclub.com/ has both a students link and parents / teachers link. They offer ideas for extra reading and writing activities.  The site is currently in the process to moving to another site, so not all of the links are active yet. http://domtesta.com/big-brain-club.cfm (new site)

Your kids don’t have to be teenagers or geniuses to benefit from this site. My older daughter has learning disabilities and loves the writing assignments. The site could also be used for summer writing assignments. Theres also a possibility that kids could have their own book published with the monthly story writing contest.

If you can keep from paying full price for something do it. http://www.comparisonshop.com/ lets you look at several places at one time so that you can get the best deals.

Buying from a local place is always the best deal if you can find what it is that your looking for, because you wont have to pay shipping and handling. http://www.shoplocal.com/ and http://citysquares.com/ lets you compare prices at the stores in your area.

Finding coupons just got really easy online, you can print them off on your printer and take them with you to the store. I like http://www.couponcabin.com/, http://www.retailmenot.com/ don’t forget to look at your favorite grocery store websites for coupons, like King Soopers.

For larger things like washing machines, TVs and such your can use http://www.priceprotectr.com/ they will watch the price on something for you and send you and email to you when the price gets reduced so that you know when to buy.

Im not very good about using gift cards and they can stay in my wallet a long time before I use them and sometimes its because im not interested in the place that they go too. http://www.swapagift.com/ you can buy, sell or trade merchant gift cards.

My little girl just had her first ballet class a few nights ago, I was so frazzled trying to round her gear up and get them into a grocery bag to toss into the car and go that I totally forgot her ballet shoes. I know that i’m not the most organized person in the world but I try. I want to get a little carry-all and designate it as her Ballerina Backpack. That way I can put her tights, tutu, shoes, and hair thingies into it and not have to worry about that on ballet night. This bag is cute and just my little ballerinas size.

I hate laundry!!! I really do.  I know i’m not the only one to think that so I decided to share my ideas on how to cope with it. If it helps you, you can thank me later

1. All dirty things must be carried to the laundry everyday, no ifs, ands, or buts.

2. Wash and dry one load everyday.

3. Everyone in the family gets an assigned clothes basket.

4. As clothes are being taken out of the dryer they are immediately separated and put into each individuals baskets. ( I choose not to fold clothes until they are actually being put into dressers or being hung up).

5. Sheets are washed the first day of the month and the 15th and as needed. Those are the only days I do more than one load of laundry.

6. Towels are the only thing I fold and put away every day, but I only make myself fold and put away 4 towels (one for each person in the household)

7. Everyone has an assigned laundry put away day. My youngest and I are on Monday, my husband and older daughter have Friday.

8. Anyone 4 years or older can put away their own clothes. All I do is carry the clothes basket to their dresser.

I like this laundry schedule, my laundry is almost always done.

My older daughter has been asking for an umbrella for a few months now, and so far I’ve been pretty good about distracting her. I just didn’t see a point in having an umbrella in a state that snows  a lot during winter. I know Easter is a ways off but I haven’t completely forgotten her plea for a cute umbrella. Thought it would be fun all opened up and in a Easter basket. Wouldn’t she freak! I’ve been looking high and low for a cute, but will made umbrella that she would just go apey for. And I think i’m leaning towards one of these Kidorable umbrellas www.kidorable.com Just had another crazy thought, what if I opened it up and used it as the basket? hmmm, food for thought

Happy Thanksgiving!

As a mother of a child with food allergies I know how hard it can be  to enjoy Holidays. I’m constantly following my almost 3 year old around trying to monitor what she puts in her mouth. I found this cool link and thought that I would share it with those of you who have allergic children or will have them visit on Thanksgiving.

http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/KFA-Celebrates-Thanksgiving.pdf

Village Inn – Denver Area
VillageInn.com/PieRush
Free slice of pie at Village Inn on Wednesdays through 2010 between 10 and 10pm. Get a FREE slice of any double crust fruit pit with any purchase. Check website for participating locations.

Pajama Party – Children’s Museum of Denver
CMDenver.org
Dress in your favorite pajamas and go down to the museum to play in the exhibits. Curl up and listen to bedtime stories and then go home with sweet and happy dreams. Everyone wearing PJ’s will get 2$ off the price of admission each Wednesday evening from 4-7:30pm.

Jumpin’ Jordy’s Family Night – 7055 W 88th Ave westminster
JumpinJordys.com
Just $5 per child! No charge for adults, and no time limit, so stay and jump, slide, climb and bounce as long as you like!  Fee: $5 per child, and each child gets a free juice box

Amethyst – For baby girls born in February you might name them after the light purple birth stone.

Cameo – Old fashioned piece of jewelry, cute and playful.

Diamond – Very contemporary name for a baby girl.

Emerald – Dark Green stone, and you can call her Emmy for a nick name.

Goldie – Old School name, and inspires thoughts of the well known actress Goldie Hawn.

Ivory – Often used as a boys name, but can be shortened to Ivy for a cute girls name.

Jade – Cool gemstone, also the name of Mick Jaggers daughter.

Jewel – Jewel is another old school name, that has been made popular by the singer Jewel.

Opal – Reminds me of my Grandmas generation, but might be cute on a little girl.

Pearl – The name Pearl lost its glory 50-60 years ago. Maybe its time to pull it out of retirement.

Peridot – A combination of Peri and Dot that is pronounced like peri-Doe.

Ruby – Precious red stone; name thats bright and cute with some sparkle tossed in.

Sapphire – A little less common than Ruby, but still bright and full of vibe and great for girls born in September.

Silver – A precious metal; unique boys name.

Sterling – Sterling another old school name that holds a lot of class.

Topaz – Looking for a super unique name, Topaz would be perfect. Chances are great you wont find another kid with that one in your school district.

It’s been a year and a half since we’ve had family portraits done. So yesterday I got the kids cleaned and dressed and dragged everyone in to Emotions Photography. Kathryn Blunt also known as Kat did a super awesome job with the kids. She was patient and kind and wonderful with my hyper active monkeys. She let my 2 year old explore the studio and still got some award winning grins out of her, and my shy 7 year old didn’t mind posing for her at all. Can’t wait for the photos to come back, I’m thinking about doing Christmas Cards with them. The pricing is fair and there’s a great website to boot.

http://www.giventoshoot.com/